The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-12-10
:
VIII Wafer.WOrks Pay ?

Ihls Will probably DE the control-
ling question with the town Council.
Ifwater-works are simply luxury
which the town is asked to purchase
for the comfort of the people, then,
it may properly be asked, can the
town afford to make the investment?
But, on the other hand, if it can be
demonstrated that the water works
will be, not only luxury to be en-
joyed by the people, but profitable
source of revenue to the town-a safe,
desirable investment in business
sense-than there ought to be no
question about the propriety of the
town going into it.
Will water-works pay
We venture the assertion that If
this question is propounded to any
number OF business men who are
familiar with the history and conduct
of water works in other places, there
would be no difference of opinion,
and they would not only recommend
it, but would take stock in it, if of.
fered privilege,
Among capitalists there is no more
desirable investment than water
works. No investment is considered
safer No other is less subject to
fluctuations. The demand for water
never diminishes in a community.
The tendency is always on the in
crease. There is nothing ever comes
in competition with it. There is
more probability of a rival springing
up for bread than for water. Water
will always be in demand in proper
ton to the number of population. 1t
requires no mandatory or machin-
cry for changing or preparing it for
use 1t is furnished in unlimited
quantities from inexhaustible sources
without cost or carriage. The sole
responsibility of the stock holder is
to send it into the houses of his pa
irons.
There are towns and cities owning
their own water works, which derive
revenue enough therefrom to run
their whole municipal machinery
No tax is required except for ex-
traordinary OUTLAWS.
Now we believe that water-works
in Morgantown could be made to pay
the whole municipal expenses, in.
Guiding the interest on the invest.
ment. The cost of running the water.
works would be greater or less ac-
cording to the plan. If the well on
the hill is sufficient, small autom.
attic engine to pump the water from
the well into reservoir, would bt
all that is necessary to be maintain
ed, and that could be maintained at
a cost of 5000 per year. If the water
is pumped from the lower well, or tn,
river, the cost would probably b,
double that amount.
What revenues can be depended
on to meet the annual expenses O
the works
We do not know the exact numbe
of houses in Morgantown and soutf
of the creek, but suppose that it il
not far from 200. If there are 20t
houses, a water-rent Of $500 pei
house would pay the cost of main
tanning the works. But there is no
house in town that would not b.
willing to pay more than that. Their
are washer-women who pay a tax tt
John Edwards water-cart, of from
$40 to $50 per year. And there il
not a family in Morgantown tina
would not rather pay $40 yer yea
for soft water furnished in the hous,
than to be without it.
Added to the dwellings would be
number of stables, and numerous
small manufactures and mills al
ready existing, and which would con
tinue to spring up all over town by
reason of the water works. Thes'
would not hesitate to pay from fifty
to one hundred dollars year fol
a water supply.
A revenue from water works il
Morgantown, of from two to three
thousand dollars, can be confidently
counted on when they are established
Water works will pay as business
Investment. 1t will pay three-folt
when all other considerations arr
taken into the account.